Obituaries

Billie Williams Stacy departed this life on Sunday March 2, 2025.  She was born on April 12, 1942 in Woodbury, Tennessee to the late Walter and Christine Tenpenny Williams.

She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Vogt, and grandson, Jarob Vogt, both of Smyrna.  Also surviving is her sister, Betty (Oran) Hicks, Nephew, Lee (Kelly) Hicks, Nieces, Amy (Bryan) Dement, and Samantha Petit, and her life-long friend, Melanie Davis.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jess Stacy Jr. and her brother, Jimmy Williams.

She began her career as a real estate agent, working for many years in Murfreesboro.  She later moved into the mortgage division with First Tennessee Bank while living in Davidson and Robertson Counties.  After retirement, she settled back into Cannon County to enjoy the opportunity to spend her time reading.

Her family will receive friends Tuesday, March 4, 2025 from 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. with graveside services immediately following in the Riverside Cemetery. Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences and memories for her family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Jerry Warren Gilley, age 77, of Woodbury passed away at his home on Friday, February 28, 2025.  He was born to his parents, the late Charlie D. & Ludie Carnal Gilley on July 28, 1947 in Cannon County.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joy Wimberly Gilley of Woodbury; Sons, Barry (Ellee) Gilley & Kevin Gilley, both of Woodbury and Eric (Amy) Gilley of Ypsilanti, Michigan; and his Brothers, David Gilley of Woodbury, Mike (Mary Lou) Gilley of Smithville and Dwayne (Darlene) Gilley of Woodbury.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Randall & Jesse Gilley.

Jerry was a member of the Pleasant View church of Christ where he served as minister for many years.  He retired from Carrier Corporation with 36 years of service and was a veteran of Vietnam where he served in the Army.  Jerry enjoyed farming and especially working with his horses.

Funeral Services will be at 2 pm Tuesday, March 4, 2025 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Herb Alsup officiating.  Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery.  His family will receive friends for his visitation on Monday, March 3, 2025 from 2 pm to 8 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Virginia Sherrell Morton, 86, of Bradyville passed away Sunday, February 23, 2025 at Unity Medical Center. Born in Coffee Co., she was the daughter of the late William and Oma Jean Lewis Sherrell. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Minus “Dudley” Morton, Jr., granddaughter, Megan Neufell and siblings, Donald Sherrell and Helen Paschal.

She is survived by her children, Jimmy Donald Morton and Valeria (Timothy) Brewer both of Bradyville; grandchildren, Signa (Eli) Walden of Bradyville, William (Amanda) Khan of Tampa, FL., Timothy Morton of Knoxville, Christina (Randy) Hampton of Shelbyville, Samantha (Brian) Smith of Murfreesboro, Angela Heath (William Campbell) of Woodbury and Emily Bewer of Bradyville; great grandchildren, Scarlett Neufell- Rogers, Wyatt Neufell-Jones and Astrid Jones, Freya Hampton, Caysea Hampton, Brooklynn Conner, Melanie Neufell, Kyleigh Clanton, Annie Heath, Aiden Heath, Amos Heath, Henry Teran, Aizling Khan and Annalise Khan; siblings, Carolyn (Michael) Viola of Murfreesboro and Billy (Pam) Sherrell of Woodbury; sister-in-law, Rachel Morton of Murfreesboro and brother-in-law, Lewis Perry of Christiana. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.

A member of Wilson Hill Baptist church, she also attended Living Springs church. Ms. Morton was retired after 32 years from Perfect Equipment. She enjoyed sewing, vegetable and flower gardening and canning.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, February 28, 2025 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Edward Sissom and Bro. Sidney Parham officiating. Interment will follow in the Cherry cemetery. Her family will receive friends from 3:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Thursday, February 27, 2025 and Friday, February 28, 2025 from 10:00 A.M. until her time of funeral service.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences and memories for her family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Mrs. Karin Lorraine Kopczeski Tucker, 64, of Readyville, Tennessee finished her journey on Sunday, February 16, 2025. She was born to the late Gene and Donna Pierce Kopczeski in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Monday, March 7, 1960.

She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Dave Tucker of Readyville; children, Charity (John) Person of Beechgrove, Dave (Becky) Tucker of Readyville, Cherish Hull of Murfreesboro, Cherie (Landon) Transeau of Alexandria, Virginia, and Charissa Tucker of Murfreesboro; brother, Bob (Charity) Kopczeski of Iva, South Carolina; sisters, Margie Wright of Fredrick, Maryland and Mary (Terry) Boyed of Bristol, Connecticut; grandchildren, Scott Person, Patrick Person, Nicole Person, Nathan Tucker, April Tucker, Kate Tucker, Benjamin Tucker, Oliver Hull, and Bennet Hull; 42 nieces and nephews; and countless people that she has influenced over the course of her life.

Karin grew up in a loving home, raised by her father and live-in nanny, Lilia. While the lack of a mother left a huge hole in her life, her grandmother, Marguerite Pierce, and Auntie Peggie filled the gap as well as they could with their unconditional love and affection. She grew up with a vibrant extended family on both sides filled with joy, laughter, and many days on the lake. 

She gave her heart to Jesus in 1974 and followed Him the rest of her life. Karin knew her life purpose was to serve and spread the Gospel through the language she knew best — love. So she set off on her path by attending college in Florida at Clearwater Christian College. On her first day of her freshman year in 1978, she met a young man named Dave, who had similar desires to serve. 

It was a match made in heaven; they knew they could serve God better together than they ever could apart. Finding Karin was a blessing Dave didn’t take for granted. He fell madly in love, and his first girlfriend was his only girlfriend. They were wed on Saturday, May 16, 1981, becoming Mr. and Mrs. Tucker. 

Two became one, and what a union it turned out to be! Holding their marriage vows close to their hearts. They started their mission work in 1982. Mexico became their home and mission field. She quickly became fluent in Spanish to serve as a missionary for the next four years. 

The Tucker family soon became three, welcoming their first bundle of joy into the world in 1983. 

They remained in Mexico until 1986. It was bittersweet to leave the place they served and had come to call home, but God was calling them to serve in a different capacity. God was calling them to serve in a different capacity, and they moved to the Washington D.C. area. It was there that Dave eventually founded a software development company with Karin as his silent partner. 

Karin loved business and wanted to be involved however she could. After homeschooling her five children, she saw the lack of curriculum available about business and finance and took it upon herself to write a free, Bible-based curriculum (www.thebeautifulbusiness.com).

Throughout the course, Karin used the Bible and other business materials to guide students through good business practices. Her avid reading made her a wealth of knowledge on many subjects. Her ability to transform information and her practical business experience into student-appropriate material was a gift from God.

In all that Karin did, she aimed for God to be glorified. She raised her children up in the way they should go, but that wasn’t where she stopped. She taught Kindergarten and various Spanish classes to her grandchildren and neighbors. Whenever she saw a student with a need she would jump in to help however she could. 

She brought happiness to many through her excellent meals making her home a center of food, fellowship and fun. She brought comfort through her hosting abilities and loved having family and friends over to the house. Many people learned through her example how to make people feel welcome. She demonstrated charity by ensuring her doors were open to all. Her home and heart were always opened to anyone in need. 

While her numerous family and friends mourn the loss of a woman with such a strong role and influence on their lives; they see her eternal mark in every life that she touched.

As Karin would say, “To God be the glory, and take delight every day.”

Visitation will be held at Experience Community Church on Friday, February 21, 2025 from 9-11 am. Funeral services will follow on Friday, February 21, 2025 at 11 am in the Experience Community Church chapel. Josh Brooker will officiate. Internment will be in Riverside Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to “David Tucker and Karin Tucker for Experience Home” at Go Send Me Global (https://gosendmeglobal.org/give).

Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337 Because every life has a story

Marvin “Stacy” Wheeler, 54, of Auburntown, Tennessee passed away on Friday, February 14, 2025. He was born in Sparta, Tennessee on April 8, 1970. Preceding him in death was his brother, Dr. Scott Wheeler.

He is survived by his wife, Amy Wheeler of Auburntown; children, Libby (Jordan Merchant) Wheeler of Murfreesboro, James Wheeler, and Sarah Wheeler both of Auburntown; father, Marvin (Leslie) Wheeler of Auburntown; mother, Linda Sue (Jeff) Cook of Smithville; sister-in-law, Kim Wheeler of Smithville; and nephews, Robert Wheeler and David Wheeler both of Smithville.

When you know who you are and want you want in life, it simplifies your choices and direction. Stacy was one of those people who was sure-footed. He graduated from Dekalb County High School with the Class of 1988 and went on to trade school. He didn’t need anything fancy because he was a country boy with the will to work.

What Stacy desired most in life though was a family. When he caught the attention of a young lady named, Amy, she knew she had to know more about this quiet and funny guy. Amy called around to ask for Stacy’s number and a date. Stacy knew he’d found the one, and they were wed in Gatlinburg on January 24, 1998.

The outdoors played a key role throughout Stacy’s life. An avid hunter, he made sure he was out in the woods for deer and turkey season. It only seemed fitting that he take his bride through the mountains and then settle in the hills of Tennessee. Their home was like living in Gatlinburg, and their 27 years together brought much joy and laughter. Most importantly though, it brought them their three children.

Being a family man was Stacy’s bread and butter. He knew how to crack a joke or pull a prank to keep the smiles and good times rolling. His girls got trained up in the ways of sarcasm, and he was proud of his apprentices for keeping Amy on her toes and a smile on her lips. His private personality meant he reserved the best of himself for those who knew him and he loved most.

About the only time Stacy wanted to be away from home was to go to work to provide for his family or to go on a family trip. For 18 years, he worked at Greif Recycling and rose to the position of Warehouse Manager. He aimed to make sure his family was comfortable in materials needs and overflowing in emotional needs. If he needed to tone it down on the kidding around, he would pull out his guitar and play for them. His family loved his presence and attention.

Home is where the heart is, and Stacy didn’t see any point leaving home for anything other than work without his heart. He and Amy got to revisit their wedding location on numerous occasions taking the kids to watch James compete in the Special Olympics. James primary event was snowboarding, but he even did skiing for a year. Stacy was proud to watch James take the slopes, and it got a lot more exciting when it actually snowed enough one year for all of the events to take place in real, Tennessee snow.

While up in Gatlinburg, Stacy made sure to take the kids through Cade’s Cove, but Gatlinburg far from made up all of their family excursions. They took other traditional trips, like going to the beach almost every year, but then, Stacy and Amy got the itch to head out west. Countless memories were made on those trips, and the Grand Canyon topped the list of favorite places to go. Stacy just couldn’t let go of those mountain and valley scenes for too long, and he sought them out wherever they went.

Returning home brought him and Amy great joy and relief. While the trips were fun, there was no place like home. They had their routines, like sitting out back birdwatching and just taking in their very own slice of heaven with the kids playing, talking, and laughing in the background. Sometimes, all the difference is in those still quiet moments, and Stacy wasn’t one to take any of them for granted.

His motivation as a protector and provider, his love for his family, and his passion for being out in nature derived from his belief in the Keeper, the Father, and the Creator. Stacy took any opportunity he could to be with the blessings he was given in this life, and he used his talents to be a blessing to them. While it will never seem like enough time, Stacy’s hope rested in a happy reunion in the future. He wouldn’t want a frown or a tear to cross his family’s face. Instead, Stacy would want the laughs to be more abundant, no songs be left unplayed, and his love to be felt in every breath they take until they meet again.

A gathering for family and friends will be held at Gentry-Smith Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 from 4-7 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Special Olympics or the Cannon County Community for Animals.

Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337 Because every life has a story

Wanda Faye Nichols Fann, 86, of Woodbury passed away Saturday, February 15, 2025 at St. Thomas Stones River hospital.  Born in Cannon Co., she was the daughter of the late Jesse Clarence and Sadie B. Davenport Nichols.

Ms. Faye is survived by her grandson, Houston Blake Cantrell (Lexie Melton) of McMinnville; great grandsons, Colton Lane Cantrell, Houston Kyler Cantrell and Walker Blake Cantrell all of McMinnville and her sister, Ms. Sue Nichols Reed of Woodbury.  Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Ms. Fann was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Connie Renee Fann McMahan and her siblings, Authur Floyd Nichols, Leon Nichols, Aubrey Nichols, Ray Nichols, Irene Nichols Morris, & Macon Nichols Jennings.

Ms. Faye was affiliated with the Woodbury Church of Christ and worked as an LPN at Good Samaritan Hospital. She also held a position at the Warren County Clerk’s Office until her retirement at age 72. She had a passion for boating, spending time on the lake, and being with her family making lasting memories.

Her family will receive friends, Wednesday, February 19, 2025 beginning at 11:00 A.M.  Funeral services will follow at 1:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Jeremy and Jason Morris, Dr. Michael Thomas, Bro. Shane Nichols and Bro. Eddie Boggess officiating.  Interment will follow in Shady Grove cemetery.

Pallbearers include Charles Jennings, Craig Jennings, Michael Thomas, Christopher O’Dell, Gary Nichols, Mike Nichols, Ronnie Nichols, Shane Nichols and Dale Nichols.

Woodbury Funeral Home 615-563-2311 or to leave memories and condolences for her family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net 

Curtis Ely, 63, of Woodbury passed away Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at Ascension St. Thomas Midtown. A native of Jacksonville, FL., he is the son of Dorothy Edwards of Murfreesboro and the late William E. Ely.

In addition to his mother, Curtis is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Fancie Lewis Ely of Woodbury; his daughters, Savannah Ely (Casey Barrett) of Woodbury and Amanda (Roger) Farmer of Crawford, TN.; his best buddy, Bo Barrett of Woodbury; grandchildren, Annisa (Josh) Landreth and Heavenleigh Ely; great grandchildren, Victoria and Landsden Landreth; siblings, Tammy (Brian) Hayden, Kathy Walters, Susan (Dewayne) Lovvorn and Dennis (Dee) Ely all of Murfreesboro, Ronnie Belding of Leesburg, FL and Jeff Ely of Augusta, GA. Also surviving is his fur baby and road dog, Lyric; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

A member of the Baptist church, Curtis was a Stone Mason and a machinist. He enjoyed anything outdoors, hunting and fishing. He made time to work but lived life and made many memories while he was living. He would always say, “Wherever the road leads us”. Curtis loved family time and made many friends along the way.

His family will receive friends Tuesday, February 18, 2025 from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and Wednesday, February 19, 2025 from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M.

Private graveside services will be held on their family farm.

Curtis’s family asks that during the visitation, if telling stories of times with him, there will be a camera set up to tell them. His family doesn’t want to forget all the amazing times he’s had with everyone.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences and memories for his family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Mrs. Susie Mae Jernigan Scott, 83, of Woodbury, Tennessee passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2025. Born to the late Foster and Hilmer Mae Jernigan on Thursday, July 31, 1941, Susie spent her younger life being raised and trained in Woodbury, Tennessee. She had a firm grip on what her priorities were, which guided her footsteps throughout her life.

First and foremost, her upbringing kept her engrossed in the Bible. A life-long member of Leoni Church of Christ, she developed a strong relationship with her Lord and Savior, and she let Him be the lamp along her path. In everything she did, Susie strived to work utilizing her God-given gifts and abilities to show the difference in her and further the Kingdom of Heaven.

Graduating from Woodbury Central High School with the Class of 1959, Susie found her calling working in the clothing industry. However, it didn’t take long before she found the one whom her soul loved. Billy and Susie were married on June 4, 1960, and soon after, began to expand their family.

Two became three, then four, then five, and six. Tripling in size also tripled the fun and excitement in the Scott family, but they never strayed too far away from their home in Woodbury. Getting out involved camping trips to surrounding Tennessee State Parks in their big blue tent. Eventually, they upgraded to a little camper that kept the family close and cozy.

“To know her is to love her” is a phrase often used for women of great care and compassion. While it fits Susie, you also could say, “To know her was to respect her.” Susie was a woman of honor and dignity who took pleasure in honest and good work.

In her career, Susie went on to work for Colonial Shirt Factory, White Stag, and Jamar. Her business acumen was recognized and became one of her crowning attributes that enabled her to serve as the Operations Manager at Jamar. Serving with grace and poise, Susie kept operations organized with a true woman’s touch.

Her husband and children knew the great blessing that God had given them with their Proverbs 31 wife and mother. She provided food through her green thumb for gardening and homegrown knowledge about preserving and canning. Susie also proved to be more adept in her clothing knowledge than the workforce allowed her to show, but she cherished reserving her talents to bless her family.

A master seamstress, Susie made anything from matching Easter dresses for her girls to Kay’s wedding dress. Any of the clothing from their childhood that she could save was kept because that cloth brought back all of the fond and treasured memories.

Making clothes for the girls became a generational tradition that she carried on down to her great grandchildren. However, after her children grew up, she decided to make a shift in her career. Going back to school taking night classes, Susie studied Accounting at MTSU and landed a job as a bookkeeper for OMC Boat Company.

She remained there until retirement called, but her idea of retirement involved countless basketball, football, and other sporting events as she made her rounds keeping up with her grandchildren. Her favorite event though was something she did throughout her life — family gatherings. The Scott family got together for all of the holidays and birthdays, and Susie knew just how to make everyone feel loved and special.

It’s been said before that it isn’t how you start but how you finish that matters. For Susie, her start and finish were consistent. She was raised in a Christian home with family values, and she raised a Christian home with family values. Her graduation from a mother to a grandmother and then to a great grandmother only expanded her impact and legacy.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Billy Scott; parents, Foster and Hilmer Mae Jernigan; daughter-in-law, Denise Scott; and great grandson, Henry Moore. Cherishing her memory and continuing her legacy are her children, Becky (Wallie) Harris of Woodbury, Kay (Billy) Arnold of Murfreesboro, Belinda Young of Lascassas, and Tim Scott of Woodbury; sister, Louella Young of Woodbury; grandchildren, Bradley (Erica) Harris, Shellie (Will) Parker, Ronnie (Christy) Arnold, Whitney (Donald) Sawyer, Amanda (Brennan) Petty, Jonathan (Tiffany) Moore, Leeann Scott, Erin Scott, and Brent Scott; great grandchildren, Luna Moore, Tyler Cain Parker, Hallie Mae Parker, Ada Lee Parker, Harper Rhea Harris, Hannah Lynn Harris, Callie Vance, Theodore Petty, and Jason Sawyer.

Visitation will be held at Gentry-Smith Funeral Home on Sunday, February 16, 2025 from 2-6 pm and Monday, February 17, 2025 from 9-11 am. Funeral services will follow on Monday, February 17, 2025 at 11 am in the Gentry-Smith Funeral Home chapel. Bro. Garland Robinson will officiate. Interment will be in Leoni Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Leoni Cemetery Fund.

Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337 Because every life has a story

Faye Thomas Robinson, 86, passed away Friday, February 14, 2025 at NHC McMinnville. Born in Cannon Co., she was the daughter of the late Elie Thomas and Leddie Summers Thomas. 

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Wray of McMinnville; grandchildren, Linda Floyd, Adam Mathis and Diane Mathis; 7 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dewey Robinson; children, David Glenn Mathis, Timmy Lynn Mathis and Roy Mathis. Grandchildren, Gina, Tommy and Penny Lawson and siblings, Jeanetta Thomas, Truman Thomas, Viella Estes, Gladys Hollandsworth, Mary Cope, Donald Thomas, John Thomas and Gene Thomas.

A member of the Baptist church, she was a seamstress and secretary.  Mrs. Robinson enjoyed puzzle books, marking curtains, quilting and watching TV.

Her family will receive friends Monday, February 17, 2025 from 12:00 Noon until 8 P.M.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 18, 2025 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Charlie Lawson officiating.  Interment will follow in the Centerhill cemetery. 

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave memories and condolences for her family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net 

Lytle Lafayette Tenpenny, 84, of Murfreesboro passed away February 11, 2025 at Community Care of Murfreesboro. A native of Cannon Co., Lytle was the son of Woodrow and Essie B. Davenport Tenpenny. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Faye McCullough; his son, Mark Tenpenny and daughter, Melanie Tenpenny.

Mr. Tenpenny is survived by his granddaughters, Abby (Colton) Tuck of Auburntown and Paige (Lane) Francis of Morrison; great grandchildren, Hunter, Jordan, Levi and Kelly Tuck and Laney Francis. Also surviving is his close friend and neighbor, Joanna Medlin of Murfreesboro.

Lytle attended Sanders Fork School and graduated from Auburn High School in 1958. He was a member of the Baptist church and a veteran of the United States Air Force. His entire career was dedicated to the Tool and Die industry, where he eventually transitioned into a sales role. Lytle served on the Board of Forrest Oaks, enjoyed playing golf, and watching sports. He had a passion for classic cars, which he not only admired but also collected. Lytle attended numerous shows where he forged many lifelong friendships. Alongside his wife Helen, he took great pleasure in collecting antiques and displaying them in their home.

His family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon until 2:45 P.M. Sunday, February 23, 2025 at Woodbury Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow at 3:00 P.M. at Riverside Gardens cemetery. Bro. Ray Patrick will conduct his service.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences and memories for his family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net